Scripture Union Daily Guide 23 October 2023 | Devotional
Do You Know That? Daily Guide Reading is published by Scripture Union Press & Books Ltd, an arm of Scripture Union Nigeria. Daily Guide is a true nondenominational, interdenominational Christian Bible engagement/reading aid – meditate on the Bible without denominational colorations. May the Lord bless you as you study!
Today’s Topic: Desire for wealth
Opening Prayer: Open my eyes O Lord that I might behold wondrous things from your word in Jesus name.
SCRIPTURE: James 4:13-5:6
Question(s) for Reflection
• Q 5: Is there any warning for me to heed?
Outline For Scripture Union Daily Guide 23 October 2023
Pay attention to the rebuke for a heart that lives and makes its plans apart from a constant awareness of God, and an underestimation of our own limitations (vs.13-16; see also Luke 12:16-21). James is not against planning for the future. We have a responsibility to plan, but not without reference to God, for He has the final say (Proverbs 16:1, 9). At what stage do you bring God into your plan? Notice what we are reminded to do in v.17. As we know these things, we are accountable to do them. Not doing them is sinning.
Is James condemning riches in 5:1-6? Not at all! On the contrary, he is rebuking those most likely to live independently of God. Matthew 19:23-24, for instance, compels us to observe that riches present an additional and significant obstacle to the kingdom. It is also true that the pursuit of riches is a motivation for every conceivable sin (1 Timothy 6:10). Some businesspeople use falsified weights and measurements and falsify invoices to evade taxes so they can make more money and either owe or underpay their workers. Such actions are like fattening oneself for the day of slaughter. Clean business practices are possible, and Christians must engage in God-honouring businesses and practices that will encourage others to work honestly to God’s glory.
Practice/Word Application
Action: Have you defrauded anyone? Confess and ask God for forgiveness. Make restitution where necessary and possible.
• Any new insight or reinforcement of what you already know?
Closing Prayer
Pray for God’s wisdom in handling whatever resources He has given you.
Offer a prayer of faith in line with Psalms 57:3
One-Year Bible Reading Plan
Esther 5, 6; Psalms 75.
NATIONAL PRAYER BULLETIN FOR 23RD OCTOBER 2023
PRAYER FOCUS: ABUNDANT GRACE
God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that you having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work. 2Cor. 9:8
THANK GOD FOR:
►His desire for us to have more than enough of everything, every moment and in every way.
PRAY FOR:
►He will overwhelm us with every form of grace.
►He will make us overflow with abundance in every good thing we do.
